MSP EXECUTIVE BOARD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2007

Present: Barker, Barrington, Brewer, Ganz, Gore, Gubrium, Hemment, Lovett, Luce, McDermott, Moffitt, Page, Pfeiffer, Phillis, Scharrer, SutherlandStaff: Reardon, Wulkan, GallagherAbsent: Banach, Brigham, Danai, Freeman, Gencarella, Ishii, Lawrence, Paynter

1. Minutes

MSP Board Minutes of November 7 were approved unanimously

2. Committees

a) Sabbaticals

Met with Sue Pearson and Donna Marino and discussed both flexible (e.g. 4.2 or pre-tenure) and enhanced (>50% pay for full year) possibilities. The Committee got the green light to think more seriously about proposals for the next contract, and felt there was a different tone than during negotiations. The committee will work through December.

b) Computer Replacement

Met with Sue Pearson and Rich Rogers. There was agreement with our strategy of doing a survey/application that would gather information about members’ needs (management will draft and committee will review), and also with our principle that this is not really the right way to solve the problem. There will be 4 options (Windows/MAC desktop/laptop) and “other”. This won’t happen until the spring semester because it needs to wait for the contract being funded.

c) Family Issues

No recent meeting; there will be one soon.

d) Lecturer Promotions

Committee met with management; no controversy; data being gathered.

e) Phased Retirement

Meeting today

f) On-Line Education

MSP Committee has started meeting (this is not a joint committee)

g) Faculty Excursions

Had one meeting and discussed responsibility and liability issues; non-controversial and on-track; another meeting is scheduled.

3. Distinguished Faculty Awards

The format is being changed so there will be 3 awards for tenure-system faculty and one for non-tenure-system faculty. In the past there were 3 awards for which all faculty were eligible. The administration’s rationale for the change was that the selection committee, consisting of past winners, may be biased against lecturers and this would make sure a lecturer won an award. However there was a sense that this actually limits the number of possible lecturer awards. The officers will discuss further.

4. Grievance Officer Stipend.

The Officers recommend that the MSP Grievance Officer, who puts in a lot of time in meetings, on the phone from home, and via email, receive a stipend of $350 per month (1/2 the President’s stipend). This would be accomplished by shifting money from several categories in this year’s budget (non-bargaining expenses, equipment, meetings/conventions). This was passed unanimously.

5. Holiday Office Closure

Max proposed that the MSP office be closed between Christmas and New Year’s from now on since no business gets transacted during this time. Staff would not be expected to use vacation time. There would be a message on voice mail referring callers to the President or to staff. This was passed unanimously.

6. Membership Lunch 12/13

Board members were encouraged to come and to recruit colleagues to come. Bargaining proposals will be ratified at the meeting.

7. Big Picture Issues

a) Readiness Project: The Committee on “UMass and Public Higher Education” is holding a forum at UMA and members are encouraged to come make the case for this campus. There has been discussion about whether there should be a “flagship campus”. One Board member questioned whether there should be a UMass “system”.

b) Meeting with Pres. Wilson: Max stressed mission differentiation as important for the different campuses. He urged that the Trustees ask UMass Amherst for a strategic plan comparable to one done by UMass Boston. Wilson is hopeful about the chancellor search pool and that the new Chancellor would put his/her own team in place.

c) Chancellor Search Committee: An ad has gone out but networking is more important. The search firm has a list of people, but it’s up to university-affiliated people to find good candidates. Max is on the subcommittee developing the “pitch document” and he is glad that it will be honest about the challenges. Board members are urged to submit names of possible candidates.

d) Contract Funding: The contract has been submitted by the Governor. Senator Rosenberg is pushing for a vote to take place during informal legislative session.